Jake Westbrook was paid no favors by Jason Motte, who allowed two runners inherited from Westbrook to score, turning a below average start into a disaster, but he still got the win with five runs charged to his name in five and a third innings of work. Oh, and Motte got the hold.

Bad luck division

For the second time this year, Felix Hernandezreceived the loss in a contest in which he allowed three or fewer runs and threw a complete game. This time he allowed one run, striking out five, and inducing 15 groundball outs. We will revisit this in the near future when I announce the yearly awards.

Gio Gonzalez got a no-decision when he started for Oakland, gave the A’s six shutout innings and the white elephant lineup finally scored in the seventh to give reliever Boof Bonser his first win since 2008. Tony Pena also had some poor luck, coming in and giving the White Sox a good performance in emergency relief when Gavin Floyd had to leave the game after only seven pitches. Pena matched Gonzalez with six shutout innings. He too received no-decision.

Jose Veras received a hold when he entered protecting a three-run lead and the following proceeded to happen: single, strikeout, single, walk, walk (run scored). Another run was charged to him when Leo Nunez allowed and RBI groundout to Chris Carter.

Any sufficiently advanced defense is indistinguishable from pitching

He was denied the win by Brad Ziegler’s blown save, but Brett Anderson was fortunate to be in position to get that win in the first place having struck out only one of the 25 White Sox batters he faced. He was dinged for only one run on six hits in six and two thirds.

Stephen Drew slugged 1.000 and drew six walks in 24 plate appearances, driving in five and scoring six times. Torii Hunter drove in five and scored five times while collecting five total bases and reaching safely eight times in 26 PA.

Sanchez Award

Adam Jones has been a contributing factor in the Orioles’ disappointing season. While many anticipated some kind of breakout, or at least improvement, he has stagnated, hitting for power, but not advancing past the stage of “average major league outfielder.” This week, his impatience coupled with a lull in his power numbers to produce a .280/.280/.320 line.

It is fun to see new names in the Killebrew category. Danny Espinosa singled twice in 27 PA. Fortunately for the fans of the nation’s most demonized town, he also walked five times, homered twice, and tripled once for a nice .227/.370/.591 line.

Prince Fielder is an old friend here. His own .217/.400/.478 week featured a pair of bombs and seven free passes.